Recruitment of Child Soldiers, Sexual Violence Persist Amid Ongoing War in DR Congo

The United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) says it is preoccupied by the intensification of violence in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) and the grave violations committed against children in Goma, the provincial chief town of North Kivu.

In a report the organisation released on Wednesday, Feb. 26, it said the violence includes sexual assaults and the recruitment of child soldiers.

In the course of the ongoing war in the country, UNICEF data reveals that sexual violence has more than doubled, abductions have multiplied by six, killings and mutilations have increased seven times, and attacks on schools and hospitals have multiplied by twelve.

“We urgently call on all the parties in the conflict to immediately put an end to these serious and intolerable violations of children’s rights. The conflict is tearing apart families, bringing about generalised insecurity and compromising the progress realised in the previous years. Vulnerable children, including those living in the streets, have told us that they are afraid for their lives,” says Jean-Francois Basse, the UNICEF interim representative in the DR Congo.

The UN agency also indicates that the escalation of violence in DR Congo is leading to the collapse of essential services. Thousands of schools remain closed, with children separated from their families. The absence of security services and justice, the massive evasion of prisoners and the proliferation of arms particularly expose children to attacks.

UNICEF says it is making efforts to unite unaccompanied children with their families. Since the recent escalation of violence, 1,200 children have been identified, and 720 have already been reunited with their families. UNICEF notes that it has also advised the authorities to give priority to humanitarian solutions rather than cohesive measures and the criminalisation of children. It has called on the parties in the conflict to take measures to protect civilians, notably children, in conformity with international humanitarian law.

“We do not have to cross our hands while this horrible violence persists. The authors must also answer for their acts if we want to put an end to the cycle of impunity concerning serious violations committed against the children of DR Congo,” Jean-Francois added.

In 2012, the UN had collaborated with the DR Congo government and signed an action plan to end the recruitment and utilisation of children and other serious violations, including sexual violence.

Since January this year, UNICEF and its partners have supported the verification process of 5,639 potential recruits, including 302 women and girls throughout the country. They have identified 63 children, including 12 girls, whom they have reunited with their families.